US: ”Iranian-Backed Shia Militia Group” behind Ain Al Asad Airbase Attack

WASHINGTON DC, United States (Kurdistan 24) – On Thursday, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated at a press briefing that an “Iranian-backed Shia militia group” was behind Monday’s attack, which wounded several Americans, on Ain al-Asad Airbase, in Iraq’s Anbar province. 

She declined to identify any specific group as being responsible, but she did provide more details about the assault, while she reaffirmed a position that State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller had expressed on Wednesday: Baghdad was acting appropriately in dealing with the attack.

Read More: US: Iraq is Acting Appropriately in Response to Attack on Ain al-Asad Airbase

Additional Details about Monday’s Attack

Singh explained that Monday’s attack involved “two rockets launched by what we believe to be an Iranian-backed Shia militia group.” In addition, a third rocket was intercepted before it could hit the base.

She also revised downwards the number of those injured. Initially, the Pentagon reported that seven Americans, including both servicemen and contractors, had been hurt.

But, as she explained, it was really just five people who were injured. The two others were so slightly affected that they quickly returned to work. And of the five injured, three were treated locally and soon returned to duty. Two others suffered more serious injuries and were evacuated to a U.S. Army medical facility in Germany.

“Good Partnership With Iraqi Government”

Singh strongly affirmed that positive relations exist between Washington and Baghdad, and the attack on the Airbase had not changed that. 

Her statement was all the more notable, as it was made in reply to a journalist’s question that invited the opposite, namely criticism of Baghdad’s response to the attack on the Airbase. 

“The Iraqi government is responsible for protecting U.S. forces in the country,” the journalist said, “but I don’t know if the Prime Minister of Iraq is not willing or does not have the control to rein in these militia groups to protect U.S. forces. So what measures are you going to take”?

Singh’s answer was tantamount to a rebuke. She noted that the Iraqi government had arrested five people considered responsible for the attack, “and we certainly welcome those actions.”

“We have a good partnership with the Iraqi government,” she affirmed. 

She also noted that she would not publicly advertise in advance any actions that the U.S. might undertake in defense of its troops, but she did affirm, “We always will take measures to protect our forces.”

“And should we decide to respond,” she continued, “it will be at a time and place of our choosing, and I wouldn’t be announcing that from the podium.”

Singh’s comments were very similar to Miller’s comments the day before. The most significant difference was Singh’s stress on the fact that the rockets had been fired “by an Iranian-backed Shia group.” Miller had not attributed the attack to any particular party.

Indeed, asked on Wednesday, “Do you know which group attacked the U.S. forces in Iraq?,” Miller responded, “It is a question that we continue to review, and of course, as I said in response to an earlier question, it’s a matter that’s under investigation by the Government of Iraq.”

It is not clear why U.S. spokespersons said two different things. Perhaps, by Thursday, the Iraqi government had more information on who was behind the attack. Or, perhaps, there is some other explanation.